Absorption dynamometer



F 1940- c. c. BENNETT 2,189,189

ABSORPTION DYNAMOMETER Filed Sept. is, 1957 a Sheets-Sheet 2 I III/1711 IN VENTOR.

' 7 Z 5. C4000: C. BENNETT ATTORNEY;

' 'Feb. 6, 1940. c. c. BENNETT 2,139,189

ABSORPTION DYNAMOMETER Filed Sept. 18, 1957 3'Sheets-Sheet s O m O k 7 Z YINVENTOR.

62.000: C. BEAM/57f w W ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 6, 1940 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,189,189 ABSORFTIONIDYNAMOMETER tion of Washington Application September 18, 1937, Serial No. 164,438

13 Claims.

This invention relates to dynamometers, and more particularly to absorption dynamometers.

An object of the invention is to increase the efliciency and, more particularly, the energy absorbing capacity of a dynamometer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dynamometer in which friction may be reduced to a minimum.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dynamoifieter operative to build up any desired load, to maintain a true and steady torque, and to properly dissipate the heat generated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dynamometer of the absorption type having but few parts of simple structure assembled in compact form so that the dynamometer as a whole may occupy but a small space.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description of anembodiment of the invention illustrated in the following drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a .vertical sectional view of a dynamometer embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the dynamometer, partly broken away and partly in section;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view substantially on line 3--3 Fig. l;

Fig, 4 is a sectional view substantially on the line 4-4, Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view substantially on line 5-5, Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view substantially on line.

6-6, Fig. 1. 1

Referring to the drawings for more specific details of the invention, It] represents a rotatable shaft adapted to be driven by an engine, a motor, or other apparatus, the torque or other characteristics of which it is desired to ascertain. The shaft has keyed or otherwise secured thereon -a rotor indicated generally at l2 including a plurality of blades l4 arranged in spaced relation to one another.

Eachv of the rotor blades l4 includesa hub I6 having an axial bore for the reception of theshaft l0, an annular web l8 formed centrally of the hub, a substantial rim 20 on the web, and

corresponding groups of radial vanes 22 arranged in oppositely disposed relation to one another on the respective sides of the web. The

vanes are formed integral with the hub, the web, and the rim, and are inclined outwardly from the web so as to provide pockets 24, and the edges of the vanes included in the respective groups are in planes common to the respective ends. t the hub and the edges of the rim.

A stator 26 encasing the rotor I2 is mounted for oscillation on the shaft I0. As shown, suitable bearings 28 arranged in spaced relation to one another on the shaft Ill support corresponding oppositely disposed end plates 30 and 32. Each of the end plates includes a hub 34 having an axial bore for the reception of the shaft I 0, and a stufling box 36 having therein packing rings 38 secured in place by a retaining nut 40 held against displacement as by bolts 42.

The end plates 30 and 32 are each provided with a rim- 46 in a plane substantially centrally of the hub 34, and the rim 43 is provided with an annular shoulder 48 and a plurality of spaced openings 50. The inner face of the end plates 30 and 32 are dished as at 52, and formed on the dished face is a raised portion 54 substantially semi-elliptical in cross-section; and a plurality of vanes 56 formed integral with the hub and the rim provide in conjunction with the annular raised portion or circumferential boss 54, divided pockets 58.

As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6, the radial vanes on the plate 30 are arranged in oppositely disposed relation to the radial vanes on the end plate 32, and the vanes of the respective. end plates are reversely disposed to the vanes 22 on the adjacent rotor blades l4.

. Stator plates 60 and spacer rings 62 are arranged in alternating relation to one another between the end plates 30 and 32, and transverse .rods G L-extending through the openings 50 in the rims of the end plates, openings in the rims, of the stator blades, and through the spacer rings, serve to fixedly secure these parts toether.

- Each of the stator plates 60 includes a hub 66 v having an axial bore 68 for the reception of the shaft in with substantial clearness providing for the free passage of fluid through the hub, and formed integrally with and centrally of the hub is a web Ill, provided with a rim 12 having an annular shoulder 14 on its respective edges, the

purpose of which will hereinafter appear, and

spaced openings I6 for the reception of the rod in conjunction with the raised annular circumu the vanes 88 in the respective groups are in ferentially extending surface or bosses I8, divided pockets 82.

The vanes 80 in the respective groups carried by the web I incline outwardly from the web in directions reversely disposed to the vanes on the-adjacent rotor blades I4, and the edges of planes common to the respective ends of the hub 88 and the respective edges of the rim 12.

The webs III of the stator plates 68 are each provided with radial ribs 84, one of which is bored to provide a fluid delivery'passage 88 extending from the axial bore 88 of the hub 68 through the rim 12, and secured inthe outer end of this passage is a nipple 88 connected by suitable fittings 88 and a flexible hose 92 to a suitable source of water supply controlled as by a conventional valve 93. The other rib 84 is bored to provide an air intake passage 84 controlled as by a valve 96, and formed on one of the rims 12 of the stator plates is a lug 98 for the attachment connected by suitable fittings I08 and a flexible hose III! to'a suitable drain with a conventional valve II2 interposed for controlling the outlets.

In operation,- the shaft III, carrying the rotor I2 and oscillably supporting the stator 28 is connected at oneend, preferably by a universal joint, to the crank shaft of an engine, motor, or other apparatus, the torque or other characteristics of which it is desired to test. The

other end of the shaft is suitably connected through a conventional tachometer for indicating the speed of the shaft, and consequently the speed of the engine; any suitable type of pressure gauge, preferably calibrated in units of torque,

is connected through a torque rod or other linkage to the stator.

' When the dynamometer is connected to the engine and gauges as hereinabove described, the operator opens the outlet valve and closes the inlet valve and the engine, motor, or other apparatus under test is then set in motion. After operating for'a suflicient period'of time to com-' pletely displace all fluid or water from the casing,

the outlet is closed and the inlet gradually opened. The engine under test is then speeded up, and maintained at a constant rate of speed. The intake valve is then opened gradually until the torque gauge connected to the stator begins to indicate pressure.

When the water is admitted into the casin and distributed between the stator plates 80 and rotor blades I4, it is projected by centrifugal force outwardly toward the periphery of the casing. Due to the vanes on the respective stator plates and rotor blades, and particularly their opposed relation to one another, the water is agitated to a very high degree;-and because of the-structure of the stator plates, particularly the annular semi=elliptical circumferentially extending surfaces or bosses I8 on the respective sides thereof, providing in conjunction with the vanes divided pockets 82, back eddies of water are sorbing device.

created resulting in intensifying the turbulence of the water.

The annular circumferentially extending bosses 18 carried by the stators I4, and the annular circumferentially extending bosses 54 carried by the end plates 38 and 32 break up the smooth flow of liquid thereby creating turbulence to increase the efiiciency of the dynamometer as an energy ab- The relative direction of liquid flow will of course be dependent in part upon the quantity of liquid in the unit and the speed of operation thereof. The resistance or energy absorbing characteristics of the dynamometer increases as the quantity of liquid therein is increased.

When releasing the water from the resistance unit to decrease the torque or lower the power absorption thereof, the creation of a partial vacuum may result, and to overcome this the stator plates are equipped with air inlets 98 extending from the periphery to the central portion and controlled by. air check valves 98 opening toward the central portion of the dynamometer. The load on the engine may be varied by operating the liquid inlet and outlet controls of the dynamometers, and the speed of the engine may be governed by operating the conventional engine controls, and through the medium of a definitely fixed water flow through the inlet and-outlet valves, the heat is dissipated, permitting a continuous test over an unlimited period of time. The resistance or load on the engine may be varied by regulating the rate of discharge of water from the dynamometer casing, or by regulating the rate of admission of water into the dynamometer casing. In completing the test, the engine is operated with wide open throttle and the control of the dynamometer set so as to maintain a constant resistanceor load on the engine. Under these conditions, the operator takes a reading of the tachometer and of the torque gauge (not shown), and with these two factors known the horse power of the engine may be computed in accordance with established practice.

Although this invention has been described in connection with certain specific embodiments, the principles involved are susceptible of numerous other applications that will readily occur to persons skilled in the art. The invention is, therefore, to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the various features of the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1. A dynamometer comprising a plurality of stator plates each; having radially extendin vanes, a circumferentially extending raised surface on the plates partially intersecting the vanes, and a plurality of rotor blades alternating with the stator plates each having radially extendin vanes for cooperation with the vanes and raised portions on the adjacent stator plates. g

2. A dynamometer comprising corresponding end plates, an assembly of stator plates each having radially extending vanes and a circumferentially extending raised surface partially intersecting the vanes, and spacer rings arranged alternately between the end plates, and

rotor blades altemating' with the stator plates, and provided with a plurality of vanes forming single radially extending pockets therebetween.

3. A dynamometer comprising a shaft, corresponding end plates oscillable on the shaft, stator platesand spacer rings arranged alternately between the end plates and providing in conjunction therewith a casing, means to admit water near the center of the casing, means to discharge water near the outside of the casing, rotor blades alternating with the stator plates, and means for controlling the water inlets and outlets.

4. A dynamometer comprising a rotatable shaft, corresponding end plates oscillable on the shaft, radial vanes on the end plates, a plurality of corresponding stator plates, radially extending vanes on the sides of the stator plates, spacer rings alternating with the stator plates, said stator plates and spacer rings interlocking with one another and with the end plates and providing in conjunction therewitha casing, means to admit liquid near the center of the casing, means to discharge liquid from near the outer edge of the casing, rotor blades on the shaft alternating with the .stator blades, and means controlling the liquid inlet and outlet.

5. A dynamometer comprising a rotatable shaft, corresponding end' plates oscillable on the shaft, radially extending vanes on the end plates inclined outwardly therefrom and partially intersected by a circumferentially raised surface on the plate, the vanes and raised surface on one of the end plates being reversehr disposed to the vanes and raised surfaces on the other end plate, an assembly of stator plates and spacer rings clamped between the end plates and providing in conjunction therewith a casing having liquid inlets and outlets, radially extending vanes on the sides of the stator plates and circumferentially extending raised surfaces partially intersecting the valves, rotor blades on the shaft alternating with the stator plates, radially extending vanes on the rotor blades reversely disposed to the vanes on the adjacent stator plates, and means for controlling the inlets and outlets.

' 6. A dynamometer comprising a rotatable shaft. spaced annular end plates oscillable on the shaft, radial vanes on the end plates inclined outwardly therefrom, circumferentially extending raised surfaces on the plates partially intersecting the vanes, an assembly of annularstator plates and spacer rings clamped between the end plates and providing in conjunction therewith a casing having inlets and outlets, radial vanes on. the stator plates inclined outwardly therefrom, circumferentially extending raised surfaces on the stator plates partially intersecting the vanes, rotor blades on the shaft alternating with the stator plates, radial vanes on the rotor blades inclined outwardly therefrom, and means for controlling the inlets and outlets.

"1. A dynamometer comprising a rotatable shaft, spaced annular end plates oscillable on the shaft, radial vanes on the end plates inclined outwardly therefrom, the vanes on one of the end plates being reversely disposed to the vanes on the other end plate, an assembly of stator plates and spacer rings clamped between the end plates and providing in conjunction therewith a casing, each of the spacer rings having a discharge port, radial vanes on the stator plates inclined outwardly therefrom, the vanes on one side of the stator plates being reversely disposed to the vanes on the other side thereof, each of the stator plates having a liquid intake passage and an air intake passage, both passages extending from the periphery of the plate inwardly and opening adjacent the shaft, rotor blades on the shaft alternating with the stator plates, radial vanes on the sides of the rotor blades inclined outwardly, the vanes on one side being reversely disposed to the vanes on the other side, valves controlling the air\- inlets, and means for controllingthe fluidvmit and outlet.

8. A dynamometer comprising a stator plate including a hub, a web carried by the hub, a rim carried by the web, an enlarged annular circumferentially extending boss intermediate the hub and web, and radial vanes on the web.

9. A 'dynamometer comprising astator plate including a hub, a web carried by the hub, a rim carried by the web, an annular circumferentially extending raised surface or boss on each side of the web, and radially extending vanes integral with the web and extending from the hub to the rim.

10. A dynamometer comprising a stator plate including a hub, a web on. the hub, an annular circumferentially extending raised surface or boss on each side of the web, a rim on the web, and radial vanes on the web inclined outwardly therefrom and connecting the hub and the rim.

11. A dynamometer comprising a stator plate including a hub, an annular web disposed centrally on the hub, an annular semi-elliptical circumferentially extending boss on each side of the web, a rimon the web, and radial vanes on the sides of the web inclined outwardly therefrom and connecting the hub and the rim.

12. A dynamometer comprising a stator plate including a hub, an annular web disposed centrally on the hub, an annular raised boss on each side of the web, a rim on the web, and radially extending vanes on the sides of the web inclined outwardly therefrom and connecting the hub and a the rim.

13. A dynamometer comprising a stator plate including a hub having an axial bore, a web disposed centrally on the hub, an annular raised circumferentially extending boss on the sides of' CLAUDE C. BENNETT. Q 

